Getting my land/me ready for retirement...

[blunosr]

Hi, I would like to get as much advice as possible regarding what to do with my land prior to retirement... I know, big request.

I have 8 and a half years before retirement. I teach school and own a house in a city out West (BC, Canada), but I am from Nova Scotia, where I lived my first 31 years. A few years ago I bought 48 acres near the village where I was born and brought up, and my family was one of the original families in that area, way back when (very deep roots).

The land has 2500 feet on a crystal clear river, that is so clean you can drink out of it. I also have three nice ponds, which will never run out of water.

It is an old farm, which was at times pastured, used for hay, or growing carrots, and has been sitting idle for about 15 years. I mowed the fields (about 25 acres) the last 3 years, and one year a local farmer got a meager yield of hay off it, but last year he didn't want the extra hay, so I just mowed it down.

The land is pretty much flat, in two benches. The majority of land is about 15' above river level, and the lower land is about 4' above river level, but hasn't flooded in living memory. The river is fast flowing, with good slope.

Luckily there was a cottage on it before I bought it, and two very old barns. I tore down the huge old barn, which was on the verge of collapse, and am in the process of saving the smaller (35x20') old barn, which was also on the verge of collapse...

I'm not sure how long messages are allowed to be, so I'll split this one.

 

[rasimmo]

It does not look like you need to do much other than finish that old barn repair. That place is beautiful. If you do everything now, what will you do with all that time after you retire?

 

[blunosr]

Ok, so I have some agricultural background, and a strong interest in farming. I like veg (olericulture) operations, and have some interest in having a few critters. Especially chickens, maybe goats, I also like cows...

I originally thought wild blueberries, since most of the land around me is in blueberries. But that involves burning, and risk, and requires lots of people during burning (Spring every second year). I do still think about that though...

I have three tractors (1965 Ford 5000, 1970 MF 1080, and 2005 Kubota MX5000), a bush hog, sickle bar mower, 10' disc for 3pt, 3 bottom plow, etc. I also have a 2005 Bobcat A300 skidsteer, with all the common attachments.

I want to do something with this land, I'm just not sure what... I hate to see all the old farmland going to waste around home. The old fellows who cleared and farmed that land would roll over in their graves to see the state of most of the old farms. Imagine what it would cost to clear and establish farmland today!

What do you think I should do with it?

The soils are sand loams and well-drained. The upper field is quite gravelly in places.

A friend of mine is very horsey and suggested I grow horse hay. He would lend me his baler and rake, and he'd probably help me hay it too.

The problem right now, is that I only have about 6 weeks per year there (July/Aug) for the next 8 summers till retirement. Not really much time to get things done, or to start farming. I thought about tilling up some land for gardens, but I'm only there 6 weeks...
Hmm...

Advice?

Are there other forums on the net where I should ask?

Thanks,

Troy

 

[Soundguy]

wow.. nice land.

best of luck!

 

[creekbend]

You stated that the land previously produced a carrot crop. Since you are interested in vegetables, why not research the market in your area in regards to vegetable farming. I am not familiar with the growing season in your area, but it will probably be less than in the lower southern regions. Check with your local Farm Bureau or Extension Office, and ask them for suggestions. Perhaps you can raise some cattle also. You can raise the hay to feed them through the winter. There are already ample water resources available to provide water for the cattle. You can sell some at the local auction and slaughter a couple yearly to supplement your own food supply. There are many choices and variables involved. One thing to consider? Do what you are interested in and the happiest with. If you lack the knowledge at this time, you can always learn. Wishing you the best in your endeavors. BTW, that is some beautiful and scenic land.

 

[Ken45101]

I wouldn't worry about "what to do to get ready for retirement." Enjoy it now however you like. When you retire, well retire and do what seems enjoyable to you at that point in time.

A lot depends on the local market but hay is a relatively simple crop. The problem with horse hay, however, is that square bales requires a lot of labor and finding that labor when you need it can be difficult. It's very hard work for someone of retirement age and you can't do it yourself very well.

Ken

 

[KentT]

Don't know if you're interested, but the lead time until retirement and summer availability brought these to mind:

1. Fruit trees
2. Small nut trees
3. Christmas trees

Your limited time in the summer would support any needed pruning and "maintenance" and they'd be about ready to bear or harvest upon retirement. If Christmas trees, you'd want to plant them incrementally, some each year...

 

[wcampbell47]

I wouldn't worry about "what to do to get ready for retirement."
A lot depends on the local market but hay is a relatively simple crop. The problem with horse hay, however, is that square bales requires a lot of labor and finding that labor when you need it can be difficult. It's very hard work for someone of retirement age and you can't do it yourself very well.

Ken

Great strides have been made in equipment to help ease some of the labor required for square bales. I hauled hay in my thirties - would be a very difficult task in my sixties.

1. Bale accumulator - receives hay from the baler and accumulates into bundles.
2. Hay grapple - front end loader device that picks up the bales gathered by the accumulator. The grapple lets you stack it for transport or storage.

Downside is equipment cost money.

 

[forgeblast]

Read the winter harvest handbook for year round food production. It might be right up your ally when you retire, and can have products ready when others are concentrating on other crops.
I agree that a well balanced approach is best.
Trees, Shrubs, Crops, and a few chickens for fun.
The property is beautiful. congrats

 

[300UGUY]

I'd talk to the locals and any relatives. Maybe a person from the ag department of a local college? See what the locals are doing, maybe you can get into a coop or something?